The 15 Quietest Dog Breeds

Whether your desire for a dog who doesn't bark (or, at least, doesn't bark much) stems from the fact that you share a thin wall with your neighbor or you just like a fairly quiet place to call home, we've got you covered. Vetstreet surveyed 218 veterinary professionals to get their take on the quietest dog breeds around.

As is often the case with these types of surveys, there were a couple of surprising answers. (Collies? Really? Was Lassie the exception? And what about the Basenji? He's the "barkless" dog!) But one thing that wasn't surprising was that a couple of these relatively quiet breeds also made the list of best dogs for new owners.

Quietest Dog Breeds

No. 15: Collie

The Collie isn’t exactly a silent breed — if he were, Lassie would never have been able to tell us that Timmy had fallen down the well! Still, this gentle and affectionate dog generally only speaks when he really has something to say. Given the appropriate amount of exercise, he shouldn’t be a nuisance barker.

Nick Ridley, Animal Photography

No. 14: Irish Setter

Unlike many of the other dogs on this list, the Irish Setter is a rowdy and rollicking dog with more energy than he knows what to do with. Happily, though, that energy is rarely channeled into nuisance barking, and as long as he’s given plenty of exercise, he can be a great choice for families.

Tetsu Yamazaki, Animal Photography

No. 12 (tie): Chinese Shar-Pei

Confident and quiet are words often used to describe the Chinese Shar-Pei. He’s intelligent and devoted to his family, but he is also known to be stubborn. He’s a great watchdog who generally only barks when worried or playing.

Nick Ridley, Animal Photography

No. 12 (tie): Rhodesian Ridgeback

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a large, impressive dog with expressive eyes and a sensitive spirit. He’s quite protective but will put his body between his family and a perceived danger before barking, snarling or attacking.

Nick Ridley, Animal Photography

No. 11: Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever is a real people-pleaser who’s always ready to make a friend or chase a tennis ball. While he’s not known to be a barker, he is an active breed who will be at his best (and his least destructive) when his energy is channeled through walking, swimming, playing fetch and brain games.

Tetsu Yamazaki, Animal Photography

No. 9 (tie): Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The increasingly popular Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small, playful dog who loves his people and hates to be alone. His temperament can range from sweet and placid to straight-up stubborn, but with consistent, positive training, you should be able to housetrain him as well as any other breed.

Eva Maria Kramer, Animal Photography

No. 9 (tie): Saint Bernard

The Saint Bernard is a member of the Mastiff family. He can be sweet, shy and stubborn, but with proper training and socialization, this quiet breed can be fantastic for families or for use as a therapy dog.

Sally Anne Thompson, Animal Photography

No. 8: Bullmastiff

Strong-willed and incredibly loyal, the Bullmastiff isn’t a big barker, but he is not always good with other dogs (especially those of the same sex) or cats (due to a high prey drive).

Sally Anne Thompson, Animal Photography

No. 7: Bernese Mountain Dog

The Bernese Mountain Dog is a handsome Swiss dog bred to pull carts, drive livestock to fields or market, and work as a watchdog. These days, though, he’s better known for his tranquil temperament, although as a puppy he can be active and mouthy, nipping and chasing in play.

Sally Anne Thompson, Animal Photography

No. 6: Mastiff

The Mastiff is known to be very loving but somewhat stubborn. He’s protective of his family, but his size (often over 200 pounds!) is generally all that’s needed to deter would-be troublemakers, so he rarely sees a need to raise his voice.

Tetsu Yamakazi, Animal Photography

No. 5: Whippet

This keen sighthound is sleek and athletic. The Whippet can be found chasing cats and swiping food from the kitchen counter, but he’s also a calm and quiet companion who loves to snuggle on the sofa.

Tetsu Yamazaki, Animal Photography

No. 4: Italian Greyhound

Tiny, intelligent and a bit fragile, the Italian Greyhound can be rather defiant, but barking is rarely an issue. Housetraining, however, may be another story.

Animal Photography

No. 3: Great Pyrenees

Like the first two breeds on this list, the Great Pyrenees is a large dog with an equally big heart. When properly trained, he’s calm, gentle and protective, but you’ll have to do your homework in order to get this strong-willed dog to that point.

Barbara O'Brien, Animal Photography

No. 1 (tie): Great Dane

The breed named quietest of them all is also one of the biggest: the Great Dane. He’s a gentle giant with a calm nature, and while he doesn’t bark often, when he does, his voice will be louder and deeper than just about any other breed.

Alice van Kempen, Animal Photography

No. 1 (tie): Newfoundland

The docile Newfoundland also takes the top spot on this list of quiet breeds. He’s a courageous and intelligent dog, known for his love of children, his loyalty and his desire to be a lap dog despite his enormous size.

Did we leave out your hush puppy? Let us know which breeds you think should've made this list in the comments. More on Vetstreet.com: